Insects are essential for the functioning of ecosystems, delivering important ecological functions as nutrient recycling, pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal. Biodiversity increases the multi-functionality and resilience of ecosystems around the world, a valuable effect considering that global change is likely to have an impact on ecosystems globally. In the process of urbanisation, ecosystems are modified and plant and animal communities segregated, affecting biodiversity and thus jeopardising ecosystems in a global scale. Different insect taxa play distinct ecological roles, so assessing how environmental factors associated with urbanisation affect them is relevant for the conservation of biological diversity of cities. The main objective of this research project was to investigate how insect communities are affected by urbanisation, using an integrated multi-taxa and multiscale approach. The research project is divided in two fundamental questions: 1) Are insect communities affected by coarse or fine scale environmental filters? and 2) Are insect´s foraging abilities affected by environmental modification? To address the first question, I sampled four insect taxa (Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera and Hymenoptera) in 19 sites with three levels of environmental modification, and multiple environmental variables associated with urbanisation. For the second question, I used focal plants to sample floral visitors in 19 sites with varying levels of environmental modification, recording the time taken for the focal plant to be discovered by an insect, and the number of insects after 48 hours. My results show that coarse environmental filters affect Hemiptera communities but do not seem to affect Coleoptera, Diptera, or Hymenoptera communities. Fine environmental filters such as proportion of native plants with flowers, site area, and proportion of green space are associated with species richness of coleopteran, dipteran and hymenopteran communities. Floral discoverability was not associated with environmental modification but the number of insects was higher in sites with higher environmental modification. Native floral resources are important for the maintenance of urban biodiversity, thus native plants should be used in urban green. Low species richness of hymenopterans and coleopterans in more urbanised sites indicates the susceptibility of these groups to urbanisation, reflecting what others studies have found in urban contexts worldwide. Environmental modification affects insects’ ability to discover and use floral resources. Where conservation initiatives use floral resource plantings to support biodiversity, environmental modification must be considered, to ensure that target taxa are able to reach the novel resources.

La función empresarial, además de generar utilidades incrementales a los accionistas. es generar relaciones externas positivas con la sociedad. La historia ha intentado explicar la relación de las compañías y la sociedad, de cómo es posible generar el máximo impacto positivo. Las expectativas sociales frente a la forma en que las empresas deberían preocuparse. ha sido un tema de amplio interés en las últimas décadas. En consecuencia. las empresas han desarrollado diferentes provectos en respuesta a esta demanda, y que genéricamente se conocen como Responsabilidad Social Corporativa (RSC).

Current research on automated vehicles focuses mainly on the drivers of automated vehicles, on its potential to improve the efficiency of traffic operations, safety, congestion and societal benefits, public’s acceptance of automated vehicles as a transport system and the willingness to buy automated vehicles. Nevertheless, there is a research gap in an equally important topic of research; the interactions of the automated vehicles with Vulnerable Road Users (VRU), i.e., cyclists and pedestrians. The WEpods (shuttle buses) are the first automated pods on public roads amidst other traffic, for an extended period of time in the province of Gelderland, in the Netherlands. The main research question revolves around the safety perception of vulnerable road users (VRUs) when interacting with automated vehicles, specifically at unsignalised intersections, and their crossing behaviour in comparison with traditional motor vehicles. The data on road users’ perception was gathered through face-to-face interviews (𝑁=22), a focus group (𝑁=8), and an online survey (𝑁=198). The results of this research showed that in terms of perceived safety, in general, VRUs (pedestrians and cyclists) feel significantly safer when sharing the road with the WEpods (max. speed of 15 𝑘𝑚/ℎ) compared to traditional motor vehicles (max. speed of 30 𝑘𝑚/ℎ). However, cyclists reported feeling less safe when interacting at unsignalised intersections with the automated vehicles, while there was not significant effect on pedestrians. Similarly, pedestrians more often opted for crossing facilities in the presence of the WEpods than in the presence of traditional motor vehicles (this can be interpreted as the result of perhaps feeling less safe), while no significant difference was reported for cyclists. Some of the reasons that could explain the trust in the WEpods are its low operational speed and the trust of most (81.1%) of the VRUs in the automated technology. This makes them expect the WEpods will stop in all possible instances, even when other traffic participants violate traffic rules. Surprisingly, a significant proportion (63.2%) of the participants was not aware of the presence of the steward on board of the WEpods. On the other hand, variables such as the awareness of the steward and having interacted with the WEpods increased the perceived safety amongst VRUs. Moreover, eye contact and gestures use as part of the actual interaction with human drivers of traditional motor vehicles particularly when crossing, was reported to be of importance by the respondents and has also been previously reported in the literature. The VRUs who said that they rely on cues given by drivers, more often indicated a preference to cross at dedicated facilities in the presence of the WEpods than those who stated not to depend on this type of communication. In order to substitute this lack of “real” interaction, information about the WEpods’ operations appeared to be desired by most of the participants in the form of visual information or a mix of auditory and visual. Finally, it was found that individual characteristics of the VRUs, such as their gender and other demographic variables could also have an impact on their perceived safety of VRUs interacting with the WEpods. The findings of the current research appear to point at a prudent attitude of cyclists and pedestrians in their interaction with automated vehicles. Nevertheless, this conservative mindset could be balanced by informing other road users about both, the features (e.g., the presence of a steward on board) and the limitations (e.g., the technology unable to respond to unexpected conditions) of the WEpods. It is considered that this information, along with a suitable communication of intentions of the vehicle to its surroundings are adequate tools to achieve a safe interaction between VRUs and automated vehicles.

After more than 50 years of internal armed conflict, the peace agreement between the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia- People’s Army (FARC-EP) raises both hope and concern. There are several opportunities for people, derived from wealth and land redistribution. However, the environmental sustainability of the mechanisms to implement the agreements represent the biggest challenges facing the future. Constructing future scenarios with indigenous peoples living in Forest Reserves and external agents working in La Pedrera, Amazonas Department, is a good case example to define what kind of futures they can envision. For this research project, I designed and served as facilitator during six scenario construction exercises, with 40 Forest Reserve dwellers. Additionally, I conducted six semi-structured formal interviews with relevant actors. The process of synthesising participants’ views, the current state of the territory, and perceived future opportunities and threats, lead me to a baseline and three future scenarios: Utopian, Business as Usual, and Dystopian. Furthermore, I used the capabilities approach, and Political Ecology, to understand the kinds of conflicts present in the area, to explore real possibilities of peace for the territory, and to expand the roles participants described as more conducive to achieve desirable futures.

A review of the main issues that affect the livelihoods of non timber forest products (NTFP) focusing on the commercialisation issues of gatherers/producers and traders, was made for Colombia. It aimed to investigate broadly which are some of the cultural, economic, social, environmental, marketing and legislative issues that affect the outcomes for NTFP livelihoods. The sustainable rural livelihood framework was used to understand the main issues affecting NTFP livelihoods and to propose alternatives to improve the constraints found in NTFP development and commercialisation. The study identify the great importance of NTFP local and regional markets for rural development, and some data was given for international markets in order to understand the magnitude of the commerce and the possibilities that might arise for some promissory products. The review of some institutional and organisation incentives influencing NTFP production and commercialisation was undertaken by reviewing the forestry policies and some of its instruments. The study used secondary data of reports made mainly in Latin-America. The report concludes that the policies and norms that influence NTFP, such as the forestry policy and plans do not consider the importance of NTFP for social and environmental objectives. For NTFP research, the analysis of the commercialisation process is strongly co-related to social networks, ecology, cultural taboos, norms for management of NTFP and effectiveness of support organisations. NTFP livelihoods can be seriously affected by government organisations and NGO’s if they are treated as traditional commodities because of the fragility and uniqueness of their ecology, economy and social structures. The report gives some recommendations to government agencies and researchers that wish to mend the constraints found for NTFP successful development.

Abstract: Bovine Digital Dermatitis (DD) is a multi-etiological disease that affects several ungulate production species. One of the most studied ones are the Dairy Cattle, due to its population numbers in both developed and developing countries all around the world and the size of the dairy production globally.DD has no definite cure and there are currently several strategies to address this disease, including control of the risk factors at individual, animal and herd level, topic and systemic treatments with or without antibiotics. In these kind of diseases genetics can play a special role improving the overall health of the farm. It can help to select animals against the disease if it is included in the breeding goal. Using Generalized Linear Models, this thesis uses the SIS (Susceptible-Infected-Susceptible) model, taken from the Quantitative Epidemiology, to see whether there is a heritable component of susceptibility and infectivity related to the sire for DD in a group of 12 Dutch Dairy Farms. Resumen: La Dermatitis digital bovina (DD) es una enfermedad multietiológica que afecta a varias especies unguladas de producción Uno de los más estudiados es el ganado lechero, debido a su población en países desarrollados y en desarrollo en todo el mundo y al tamaño de la producción lechera a nivel mundial. El DD no tiene una cura definitiva y actualmente existen varias estrategias para tratar esta enfermedad, incluido el control de los factores de riesgo a nivel individual, animal y de rebaño, tratamientos tópicos y sistémicos con o sin antibióticos. En este tipo de enfermedades, la genética puede desempeñar un papel especial para mejorar la salud general de la granja. Puede ayudar a seleccionar animales contra la enfermedad si está incluida en el objetivo de reproducción. Usando Modelos Lineales Generalizados, esta tesis usa el modelo SIS (Susceptible-Infectado-Susceptible), tomado de la Epidemiología Cuantitativa, para ver si hay un componente hereditario de susceptibilidad e infectividad relacionado con el padre para DD en un grupo de 12 granjas lecheras holandesas.

Abstract: Literature on the training of music researchers is ample and copious, abundant in reference material and examples from different times and places. The present work tackles the analysis of an original and idiosyncratic project, in which a Ministry of Culture proposes a training program for researchers in music. Inviting agents and institutions from different backgrounds and territories, the Colombian Ministry of Culture through the ‘Pilot Project of Researchers’ Training in Music’ (PPFIM) led to a broad debate on research to strengthen traditional music practices. Through the critical-descriptive analysis of the documentation derived from the process, this study allows one to appreciate the genesis of this policy, as well as the different positions of the actors, the epistemological and political struggle behind the recognition of multiculturality, the forms of rationality involved in the research-training relationship, and the need for greater coherence in methodological, pedagogical and operational matters, which guarantee the formulation of a research policy that is in keeping with the wealth of local social knowledge, as a field of alternatives for open and plural societies more integrated, respectful of difference, and proud of their diversity. Resumen: La literatura sobre formación de investigadores en música es amplia y copiosa, abundante en material de referencia y ejemplos de diferentes épocas y lugares. El presente trabajo aborda el análisis de un proyecto original e idiosincrásico, en el que un Ministerio de Cultura propone un programa de formación para investigadores en música. Invitando a agentes e instituciones de diferentes procedencias y territorios, el Ministerio de Cultura de Colombia a través del Proyecto Piloto de Formación de Investigadores en Música (PPFIM) ha abierto un amplio debate sobre la formación en investigación como dispositivo para el fortalecimiento de las prácticas musicales tradicionales en el país. A través del análisis crítico-descriptivo de la documentación derivada del proceso del PPFIM, este estudio permite apreciar la génesis de esta política, así como diferentes posiciones de los actores involucrados, la lucha epistemológica y política detrás del reconocimiento de la multiculturalidad, las formas de racionalidad existentes en la relación investigación-formación y la necesidad de una mayor coherencia metodológica, pedagógica y operativa, que garantice la formulación de una política de investigación acorde con la riqueza del saber social local, como campo de alternativas para sociedades plurales más abiertas e integradas, respetuosas de la diferencia y orgullosas de su diversidad.

Abstract: This dissertation is about the Aristotelian account of phantasia in De Anima (DA). It has two principal aims: the first is to criticise the claim of some contemporary scholars, specifically Michael Wedin, which states that what Aristotle says in DAIII,3 explains completely the concept of phantasia, and from there all its uses in the Corpus Aristotelicum are understood. Contrary to this, I assert that passages from DAIII, 7-11 present more features and a distinctive function of phantasia. Therefore, to have a complete account and a full understanding of Aristotelian phantasia, we need to consider those passages. The second aim is related to the first one. I want to argue that the distinctive function of phantasia exhibited in DAIII, 7-11 is due to its being in the rational soul. In those passages Aristotle describes phantasia as bouleutike/logistike, as deliberative/calculative, as rational. This characterization implies a distinctive function, different from the function that it has in the perceptual soul. Resumen: Esta disertación trata del concepto aristotélico de phantasia en el Sobre el Alma y tiene principalmente dos objetivos: el primero es criticar la idea de algunos intérpretes contemporáneos, específicamente Michael Wedin, quienes argumentan que lo que dice Aristóteles en DAIII,3 explica completamente el concepto de phantasia, y por tanto, todos los usos de este concepto en el Corpus Aristotelicum se explican. Contrario a esto, yo argumento que los textos de DAIII, 7-11 presentan más características y una función distintiva de phantasia. Por tanto, para tener un completo entendimiento del concepto aristotélico de phantasia se necesita considerar esos últimos pasajes. El segundo objetivo se relaciona con el primero. Quiero argumentar que esta función distintiva que se exhibe en DAIII, 7-11 se debe a su ser en el alma racional. En aquellos pasajes Aristóteles describe phantasia como bouleutike/logistike, como deliberativa o calculativa, como racional. Esta caracterización implica una función distintiva, diferente a la función que presenta esta facultad del alma en el alma perceptual.

The field of Communication for Development and Social Change (CDSC henceforth) has enriching practices in peacebuilding contexts, especially in post-conflict and fragile states, with the use of approaches like behaviour change, edutainment and participatory media that aim to contribute to peace goals of reconciliation and reconstruction of social fabrics. Despite this, what happens ‘on the field’ has not been translated into theoretical developments of CDSC and peacebuilding studies, with few exceptions like Citizens’ Media (Rodríguez, 2000), Communication for Peace (Hoffmann, 2013) and ICT for Peacebuilding (Hattotuwa, 2004). Based on the above-mentioned frameworks and retaking the seminal CDSC works of Andreas Fuglesang (1982), this dissertation explores the potentialities and uses of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs henceforth) in one of the most sensitive aspects for reconciliation in post-conflict countries, collective memory. Particularly, the research seeks to explore methods used by the organisations and its dialogue with local expressions of memory in the creation of content and narratives that might contribute to the local peacebuilding processes. This is done through two case studies of memory-related initiatives in Colombia that use digital literacy and content production as part of their process. The first case study is the Alfabetizaciones Digitales (AD, Digital Literacies in Spanish), a project of the National Centre for Historical Memory, that worked with victims’ memory initiatives in the creation of websites and multimedia content. The second is Revelando Barrios (RB, Revealing Barrios in Spanish) an initiative of the NGO Ciudad Comuna based on social photography with youngsters of the Comuna 8 of Medellín, Antioquia. Using a methodology that combines Key Informant Interviews, content and data analysis, the main findings pointed to three aspects. First, that there is a general pattern of non-deterministic ICT use in both projects, with potential to foster ‘empowering’ collective actions and inter-generational dialogue. Second, the content analysis allowed the identification of a potential influence of what Fuglesang calls ‘conventions’ of digital language -i.e. the rules for writing on the web- in the content produced for the AD case study. Thirdly, that the main limitations of ICT use are those linked to the digital divide and the sustainability of the process; though, it is noted that participants and implementers developed solidarity mechanisms to alter the limitation of access to Internet and devices such as photo cameras. Dissertation awarded with Distinction, Award for Best Dissertation 2017 of the Graduate Institute of International Development, Agriculture and Economics, University of Reading.

Résumé: Cette thèse analyse l´incidence et le potentiel transformateur du Mouvement Étudiant Colombien et de l´Université Autonome Indigène Interculturelle dans le domaine de l´éducation supérieure en Colombie, pour la période 1998-2014. Faisant appel aux objectifs et aux méthodologies proposés par la sociologie des émergences, elle propose une théorie relationnelle de l´exclusion et de l´inégalité qui, tout en montrant les composants structurants, participatifs et positionnels sur lesquels se construisent les relations sociales, défend la pertinence des concepts de jouissance et de production du commun, égalité des places et épistémologies de l´injuste, pour comprendre ce que sont l´exclusion et l´inégalité, et ce que signifie le dépassement de telles relations. La thèse étudie la façon dont le Mouvement Étudiant Colombien et l´Université Autonome Indigène Interculturelle ont tenté de surmonter les situations d´exclusion et d´inégalité provoquées par les relations de classe sociale, d´appartenance ethnique, de genre, de provenance régionale, de dépendance internationale, de handicap et d´épistémicide, dans le domaine de l´éducation supérieure. En reconnaissant les types de transformation rupturiste, contre-hégémonique et symbiotique, qui surgissent dans le cadre des luttes sociales, elle définit l´incidence et le potentiel transformateur des luttes étudiantes et indigènes dans leur défense de l´éducation supérieure comme un droit et un bien commun dont le fondement est le dialogue interculturel, en opposition au système d´éducation supérieure massifié, hiérarchique et hétéronome qui se consolide en Colombie. Resumen: Esta tesis analiza la incidencia y el potencial transformador del Movimiento Estudiantil Colombiano y de la Universidad Autónoma Indígena Intercultural en el campo de la educación superior en Colombia en el periodo 1998-2014. Apelando a los objetivos y metodologías propuestas por la sociología de las emergencias, propone una teoría relacional de la exclusión y la desigualdad que, mostrando los componentes estructurantes, participativos y posicionales sobre los que se constituyen las relaciones sociales, defiende la relevancia de los conceptos de goce y producción de lo común, igualdad de posiciones y epistemologías de lo injusto para comprender qué es la exclusión y la desigualdad y qué significa superar tales relaciones. La tesis estudia cómo el Movimiento Estudiantil Colombiano y la Universidad Autónoma Indígena Intercultural han intentado superar las situaciones de exclusión y desigualdad provocadas por las relaciones de clase social, pertenencia étnica, género, procedencia regional, dependencia internacional, discapacidad y epistemicidio en el campo de la educación superior. Reconociendo los tipos de transformación rupturista, contrahegemónica y simbiótica que surgen en el marco de las luchas sociales, define la incidencia y potencial transformador de las luchas estudiantiles e indígenas en su defensa de la educación superior como derecho y bien común fundamentado en el diálogo intercultural, que se contrapone al sistema de educación superior masificado, jerarquizado y heterónomo que se consolida en Colombia. Résumé: Cette thèse analyse l´incidence et le potentiel transformateur du Mouvement Étudiant Colombien et de l´Université Autonome Indigène Interculturelle dans le domaine de l´éducation supérieure en Colombie; pour la période 1998-2014. Faisant appel aux objectifs et aux méthodologies proposés par la sociologie des émergences; elle propose une théorie relationnelle de l´exclusion et de l´inégalité qui; tout en montrant les composants structurants; participatifs et positionnels sur lesquels se construisent les relations sociales; défend la pertinence des concepts de jouissance et de production du commun; égalité des places et épistémologies de l´injuste; pour comprendre ce que sont l´exclusion et l´inégalité; et ce que signifie le dépassement de telles relations. La thèse étudie la façon dont le Mouvement Étudiant Colombien et l´Université Autonome Indigène Interculturelle ont tenté de surmonter les situations d´exclusion et d´inégalité provoquées par les relations de classe sociale; d´appartenance ethnique; de genre; de provenance régionale; de dépendance internationale; de handicap et d´épistémicide; dans le domaine de l´éducation supérieure. En reconnaissant les types de transformation rupturiste; contre-hégémonique et symbiotique; qui surgissent dans le cadre des luttes sociales; elle définit l´incidence et le potentiel transformateur des luttes étudiantes et indigènes dans leur défense de l´éducation supérieure comme un droit et un bien commun dont le fondement est le dialogue interculturel; en opposition au système d´éducation supérieure massifié; hiérarchique et hétéronome qui se consolide en Colombie.